The biggest prison is the one we build in our own mind.

When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways - either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.

Face your own anger and you will be free from anger. Face your own fears and you will be free from fear.

True peace comes not from controlling the world, but from letting go of control.

Compassion is not just about being kind to others. It's about being kind to ourselves as well.

Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher.

Craving and aversion are the roots of suffering. Observe them with equanimity.

Compassion is not mere sentiment but a powerful force that can transform both ourselves and others.

The practice of Buddhism is fundamentally a practice of expanding our happiness and diminishing our suffering.

Time passes unhindered. When we make ourselves better, we make the world better.

Compassion is not something we develop. It arises naturally as we see the truth of what is.

The rising and falling of the abdomen is not the main object. The main object is to develop mindfulness, concentration, and insight.

Even if you speak of 'understanding,' this understanding is not a matter of knowledge. It is what fills the entire body and mind.

The essence of meditation is not something complicated or exotic. It is simply taking a break from our habitual patterns.

Just as true humor is laughter at oneself, true humanity is knowledge of oneself.

The mind is like water. When it's turbulent, it's difficult to see. When it's calm, everything becomes clear.

Faith is the firm foundation, diligence the supporting pillar, and wisdom the roof of the house of practice.

When we see the nature of the mind, we see that we are not our thoughts.

Zen is a way of life, not a theory or a piece of knowledge to be stored away in our minds.

Life is available only in the present moment.

It is never too late to turn on the light.

The path of awakening is not about becoming who we think we should be, but about unbecoming who we are not.

When mindfulness and concentration are strong, insight into the three characteristics naturally unfolds.

The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with.

Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.

The Buddha taught that wealth does not bring happiness and security. The pursuit of wealth is a matter of living in balance.

The goal is not to be better than the other man, but your previous self.

The true hero is one who conquers his own anger and hatred.

Let go of what has passed. Let go of what may come. Let go of what is happening now. Don't try to figure anything out. Don't try to make anything happen. Relax, right now, and rest.

Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.

The true person is not anyone in particular. But like the deep blue color of the limitless sky, it is everyone, everywhere in the world.

Every intelligent individual wants to know what makes him tick, and yet is at once fascinated and frustrated by the fact that oneself is the most difficult of all things to know.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be miserable, expect something in return.